Although there have been many changes to how it operates, the Ram Pantry is still up and running on the Fresno City College campus amidst the current pandemic. 

The Ram Pantry, currently operating behind the Student Center/Bookstore, is now open on Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

In order to make it easier for students to get their food during the pandemic, all students need to do is provide their student ID number and they will be provided with a prepared box of groceries. 

To access the Ram Pantry students can park in lots J or K and do not need a parking permit. However, students and staff are required to wear a mask at all times while on campus.

Upon arrival students must walk to the back patio to get their food. This procedure is a change from the recent drive-thru method where Ram Pantry volunteers would take the food to students’ cars. 

CalFresh outreach specialist and former Associated Student Government President, DeRon Walker, working in collaboration with the Ram Pantry, explains that the change in procedure is due to the change in the county transmission risk tiers. Fresno County recently changed from tier one to tier two, which allows for the reopening of businesses and operations. This change in tiers has also allowed the pantry to add Wednesday to their days of operation. 

Since COVID-19 has impacted the days and hours of operation, the Ram Pantry has seen a significant decrease in student visits. Walker says that before the pandemic there were hundreds of students visiting per day, but now there are only about 100.

 This decrease has caused a surplus of food which Walker said may be provided to non-FCC student community members, but normally the pantry’s services are for students only.

Walker says that if community members come to the Ram Pantry in need of help, then the Pantry will take down their information and “encourage them to apply for CalFresh benefits and also maybe encourage them to go ahead and get enrolled to the school.” 

The Holiday Season is almost upon us and the Ram Pantry is always taking donations.

For any community members or students looking to provide help, Walker says “people are always welcome to come by and drop off a donation here at the Ram Pantry” and they can contact Student Activities at (559) 443-8688 for directions on how to donate.